Sociology Degrees

Sociology is the scientific study of society. This includes patterns of social relationships, social interaction and culture. With a degree in sociology you will be popular to employ in many fields ranging from police work to market research, beyond the traditional path of social work.

The study of sociology has been alive since the late nineteenth century, when the first sociology course was taught at the University of Kansas, followed a few years later by the University of Chicago. The first school in Europe to offer courses within the field was University of Bordeaux. Since then, the discipline has blossomed and is now offered at most universities around the world, most often with a dedicated department, and a course selection matching the research interests of the employed staff.

Sociology career opportunities

Careers within sociology used to be relatively limited to social work. During later years however, it has become much more common for employers from both private and public sectors to employ sociology graduates due to the knowledge and skills they gain during their studies. What many employers find valuable is not only the specific knowledge of how we work in groups, in larger society and between cultures, but also other general skills taught during the university years. Graduates find work within marketing and market research for example, where their knowledge of society, research methods and interview techniques are highly appreciated. These are skills also valued within the human resources field and journalism, which has attracted a growing number of graduates. A further growing area of employment, especially in Britain, is the police force, which in certain parts of the Commonwealth recruit graduates specifically to combat the bad reputation they have started to suffer. Some professions will require a completion degree in order to gain certification. Examples of such areas are teaching and social work, which are common among sociology graduates. If you know from the start of your studies, that you wish to continue into such a field, make sure that the required courses are included in your degree for admission into your continued path of education.

Studying sociology

A sociology degree can be obtained from a large number of schools worldwide, and is usually considered a branch of social science. Most universities are focused on a select branch of sociology, mainly due to the areas of interest of their staff. The study of sociology involves studying anything from brief contacts between anonymous individuals on the street, to the inner workings of family life. It also includes the study of society on a larger scale within culture and the effects of social rank, ethnicity, gender and so on.

You can usually find what courses are offered at the university, on the institution website. Apart from location, language requirements and costs, it is important for you to make sure the institution of your choice offers the courses that most interest you. If you are interested in research, this will in most cases require a Master's degree, before moving on to a PhD. From here you can continue into an academic career as researcher, or with a post as lecturer.

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